Florida and Coastal areas

[Norman Kling]

Has anyone heard from any of our members who are in the Hurricane area? I wonder if any Model T's have been damaged or members flooded out of homes?
Norm

[tmodeldriver]

Hi, Norman. I'm located a few miles southeast of Tampa and we were okay. Just some pretty high winds and good amount of rain.

Most of my fellow members of the Suncoast T Club are located in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, some near the beaches. We were given plenty of warning and these folks are savvy enough to get themselves and valuables (T Models) to a safe location.

I have tried to reach a few of them by cell phone without success. Cell towers down? I don't know. Just hoping and praying for the best. Bob

[Dan Hatch]

I just got back from taking my daughter a generator to Augusta Ga. It is a mess power lines down everywhere. Transformers laying in street. I had to drive through someone’s yard to get around downed power lines.
Water system has issued non drink order.
No sign of state or federal help.
No power means no gas. Cars run out gas just left in middle of street.
Did see a lot of power trucks heading that way, but not sure where they were going.
Just saw here power May get back by 10/05.
She lives in middle of town.
You would think Ga would be important to people trying to get votes.
Someone better step up.

[Daisy Mae]

Here in Panama City Beach we were braced for a direct hit a week ago, thankfully (for us anyway) it veered east. We just got some wind/rain but nothing really, not even a power outage. What's odd is to be so close and get no impact, while GA, the Carolina's, TN, OH, are getting hammered so horribly. Hurricanes are definitely not just a Florida coast issue. I pray our members in those states fair well.
Even with a direct hit, Daisy and Annie are (relatively) safe. Even 1/4 mile from the beach we are not at risk of surge, and my shop is 180mph wind proof.
As to Dan's comment about politicians, I learned first hand how horribly two faced unsympathetic/unsupportive politicians are when Hurricane Michael mowed us down. An unprecedented Cat5 wiped communities off the face of the earth and wiped out GA's pecan orchards. It took weeks/months for FEMA to react/be funded, with many blue state reps stating we didn't deserve it.. HUH???
The vindictive political sentiment/climate even influenced corporate donations...Michael, one of the strongest storms ever to hit the US had one of the lowest levels of corporate/private donations of any storm. Even my own employer, AT&T, who always donates huge sums to disaster relief, did nothing!!!!!! They didnt even send out a call to the employees to donate, as they always have...why? I even sent a letter to leasership asking why, but never got a response. That was a wake up call for me being impacted first hand.
Stay safe everyone...but be prepared! Sometimes it's just you, friends/family and your neighbors.

[Novice]

This storm formed quickly with little warning! Government relief is a little like getting a model T started and warmed up. But You can be sure a month out from a Presidential election. They will be going as fast as they can. FEMA and the Red cross have had their hands full this year with one disaster right after another. Our prayers and best wishes to all those in the storms wake.

[TWrenn]

I don't wanna downplay the damage in Florida and Georgia but from what I've been seeing on many news feeds it seems north Carolina was devastated. Some villages wiped off the map. Never this kind of damage from hurricane remnants there ever. We know rheees gotta be plenty of our T friends there. Even Boone, where a tour once was, was hit hard. There's 280 roads closed from damage.

[jiminbartow]

Yes. The panhandle of Florida, the states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina were hit much harder than eastern and central Florida. I’m in Bartow, FL in Central Florida, west of Orlando and we got very little rain or wind. Jim Patrick

[Daisy Mae]

I disagree (Novice comment re "formed quickly"). The storm did not form quickly, it was known for at least two weeks as to direction, strength, path, and devastating impacts to every state it's touched.
However, the public perception is just that...it was a surprise. Why? Because mainstream media does NOT report it until the very last minute!
As example, here on the Florida coast NOBODY listens to mainstream media for hurricane info. Most listen to an independent blogger known as Mike's Weather Page. In the 10+ yrs we've monitored him he has had a near 100% forecast track record, unlike the crap that local or national media feeds us. In this case Mike was warning Helene was going to have massive impacts to the States north of us...two weeks ago!
The question is begged as to why such silence or lack of warning from national media...why? It's almost like they foment disaster itself via sensationalism without real info which leaves people ignorant and unable to take any action to adequately prepare.
In the meantime, days after the storm FEMA is still nowhere to be seen. It took damn near a month after Michael to get here. Meanwhile the Red Cross is the only major entity already in action boots on the ground in disaster areas, just as they were after Michael.

Please pray for all those impacted, especially the Carolina's.
If you are capable to lend a financial hand, I encourage you to donate to the Red Cross.

[John Codman]

I live in Collier County about 12 miles East of Naples proper. I also listen to the mainstream media. The mainstream was dead on about Helene and what would likely happen. I was well aware of what was going on and what happened was almost exactly what was forecast. I lost power for 2 1/2 hours on the day that Helene hit, and again for an hour one day after. Cable TV, internet, and telephone were in and out. No flooding at la casa grande just a couple of big branches down. Lots of small twigs and branches need to be picked up though. There will be no time for the T far a couple of weeks (I also have a modern car project in the works). I am sorry for those who took the hit - for me it was basically a windy, Rainey day. As I have a full-house generator, the power wasn't really much of an issue; the only affect it had on me was that I had to delay drying a load of washing. I wasn't going to run the electric dryer on the Generator. Florida Power and Light is cheaper then Propane.

[TXGOAT2]

Hurricane damage is expected in coastal areas. It looks to me like inland flooding is the worst effect of this particular storm. Heavy rain in the Appalachian region can be very deadly and destructive . Most towns and villages and roads are in the valleys, which are very flood prone in heavy rain events.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

I live in Aiken, SC across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia. I have been without power for 4 days, thankfully it was restored a couple hours ago. There was extensive wind damage in our area with lots of big trees uprooted and taking out power lines. Thankfully, I had no real damage just a couple of trees down out in my woods. When I think about the devastation in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia from the flooding, my four days of inconvenience without power is of no significance. My prayers are with the folks affected by this ferocious storm.

[colonelpowers]

We were visited today by Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton's V.P. Pick, as he surveyed the destruction in Southwest Virginia. I am definitely not his biggest fan but it was surprising that a fairly famous (or infamous) senator showed up before anyone from our town. After Mr. Kaine had left a group from Ohio stopped by and volunteered to come back tomorrow to help empty our basement and carry out the debris from the basement wall that collapsed in the floor so we can hurry to stabilize that section of the foundation. They are going to remove the heating system from the basement as well They are going to remove all the garbage and junk from the yard, help empty the house and take up the damaged floors. I asked for nothing but after they looked at everything that is the list of things that they offered to do. It is an amazing blessing. We had 3 cars submerged but the T is fine. My only usable car is 102 years old. We had it good compared with other nearby places. So many bridges and roads destroyed, houses and communities washed away. So many killed. I have never seen anything like it. Things like this don't happen here, not in the mountains of Virginia; at least not this widespread and severe. The water came up quickly but we were able to walk to a safe distance and just watch. In the worst of it I still waded back to the house to retrieve something for my wife. In nearby Erwin, Tn. many employees of a factory are missing after the waters destroyed the building and carried them away. Thank God we were safe.

[Dan Hatch]

My daughter in Augusta is still without power. May not get back on till weekend. They are under a boil water order.
Fuel is still hard to get.
Looks like I may be making another run.

[TWrenn]

We were visited today by Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton's V.P. Pick, as he surveyed the destruction in Southwest Virginia. I am definitely not his biggest fan but it was surprising that a fairly famous (or infamous) senator showed up before anyone from our town. After Mr. Kaine had left a group from Ohio stopped by and volunteered to come back tomorrow to help empty our basement and carry out the debris from the basement wall that collapsed in the floor so we can hurry to stabilize that section of the foundation. They are going to remove the heating system from the basement as well They are going to remove all the garbage and junk from the yard, help empty the house and take up the damaged floors. I asked for nothing but after they looked at everything that is the list of things that they offered to do. It is an amazing blessing. We had 3 cars submerged but the T is fine. My only usable car is 102 years old. We had it good compared with other nearby places. So many bridges and roads destroyed, houses and communities washed away. So many killed. I have never seen anything like it. Things like this don't happen here, not in the mountains of Virginia; at least not this widespread and severe. The water came up quickly but we were able to walk to a safe distance and just watch. In the worst of it I still waded back to the house to retrieve something for my wife. In nearby Erwin, Tn. many employees of a factory are missing after the waters destroyed the building and carried them away. Thank God we were safe.

Gotta "butt in" here since I'm from Ohio to say I am proud of our Ohio Volunteer group...they always head into storm ravaged areas and am glad to hear they're helping you Joshua! I pray for you and everyone in those states so historically if not biblically affected. Were it not for my age, bad back & shoulders I'd be down there with my 20' trailer full of supplies to help too. I saw you're in need of a temporary home for one of your cars...I'm quite a bit further than maybe anyone that can help, but I offer a corner of my barn as a backup source in case you need it. God bless you and all down there. With His help, you will overcome.

[Dan Hatch]

This maybe a little off but.
I am wondering if Amazon delivers in storm damage areas?
Anyone have any experience with that. I tried to find out on line but can’t find yes or know.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

This maybe a little off but.
I am wondering if Amazon delivers in storm damage areas?
Anyone have any experience with that. I tried to find out on line but can’t find yes or know.

How could they do that when roads and infrastructure no longer exist?

[Daisy Mae]

Dan, I imagine it depends on how severe the area is hit...eg...like to your daughter in Augusta (probably yes) as compared to the flooded areas.
Also in many rural areas Amazon hands off to USPS for the last mile. All I can do is speak from experience where after Hurricane Michael all such services were non-existant for quite some time.

[Dan Hatch]

Things are finally getting better in Augusta from what I have learned. Power company is working on lines in front of their house today.
Drinking water is showing up now.

[George Mills]

I can only speak for the Suncoast area of Florida. I live less than a mile in on the dirt side right where that little hump jutting out to the Gulf is on the Pinellas Cty map due west of Tampa. In that mile, we bump up to 37 ft above sea level. I came through OK and dry...wind got in the attic and couldn't get out the soffit vents fast enough so sections of the garage ceiling blew out. Fortunately I made a full size corrugated pad to sit over the Hacks entire roof long ago...no damage other than sheetrock dust!

Our friends on the barrier islands from Clearwater Bech to St. Pete beach did not fare as well. The entire length of barrier islands breached from the Gulf to the Intercoastal Waterway with 4-6 ft raging water and dumped some 3 foot of sand on the only state highway running north and south. Power was completely shut down as were municipal services. Access by owners was only granted I believe Sunday...today at 4 general access resumes now that they have bulldozed all the sand off of the State road. There are several T guys along that stretch, no word yet, if they evacuated on sheltered in place. Reported that along that path...all 'ground level' garages were full of water and any car in them submerged...let's hope for the best....

[babychadwick]

This maybe a little off but.
I am wondering if Amazon delivers in storm damage areas?
Anyone have any experience with that. I tried to find out on line but can’t find yes or know.

Amazon is delivering and mail service to the island is functional.

I was helping out non T friends at their home on Useppa Island during, after and currently preparing for this storm. Devastation was greater than Eon due to the surge. The island is west of Ft Meyers and only accessible by boat. Power was knocked out (mostly back on now), all water on the island was lost (Island operates on well and tank), water lines in a majority of homes were destroyed as water heaters were ripped from their locations taking water lines with them. The septic for the island was completely flooded (operational now), the large dock for barging in equipment, materials, ect was destroyed. Our downstairs was a disaster with walls knocked out and total flooding. Air conditiones throughout most of the homes were destroyed so homes that escaped damage are now molding inside. There are massive piles of debris from the past week of cleanup that havent been able to be removed (no barge service) accumulating all over the island.

At this point in the middle of cleanup and rebuild we are in the direct path of this next storm. . .
The barge dock, they would typically run large trucks like propane trucks on this dock. The decking is 4x6 so not a light weight dock.

During the storm those that had stand by generators running on propane had their tanks break free and float off dumping the propane into the air and water thru the broken lines

Downstairs once the water receeded enough to get inside. There is supposed to be a wall there. . .

Early on in the storm, the water rose another 4-5 feet but that was in the middle of the night and too dark to photograph.

[John Codman]

Propane doesn't mix with water, but is heavier then air. The main issue with escaping Propane is that it will flow downhill along the ground. If it finds an ignition source before it dissipates to the level where it is no longer flammable, things can get ugly fast.